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What do we do? An overview of YMCA Brunel Group
14 September 2024
At YMCA Brunel Group, our work centres on supporting individuals and communities through a wide range of services, from housing to health, childcare, and beyond.
We believe in empowering people to lead fulfilling lives by providing essential support at crucial moments. Here’s a deeper look into the services we offer:
Image: Communal lounge at Frome Foyer
Supported Housing
We recognise that the journey to independence can be daunting, especially for young people facing challenging life circumstances. Our supported housing services cater to individuals aged 16 and above; many of these young people are care leavers and need consistent, personalised support. These young people often face additional hurdles as they transition into adulthood, and having a stable, supportive environment is essential for them to develop the skills they need to live independently.
Our housing projects offer tailored levels of support—ranging from low to high—based on the individual’s needs. We focus on practical skills, such as budgeting, cooking, and managing a home, while providing emotional and social support. Our goal is to build confidence and resilience, helping residents prepare for a more independent future.
In addition to housing for young people, we also have two dedicated projects for adults aged 25 and over. These projects offer vital support for those who may be facing homelessness or other challenges, giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a safe, structured environment. By offering both physical shelter and personal development support, our housing services are a vital lifeline to individuals striving to regain control of their lives.
Visit our Supported Housing page to find out more about what services we offer, and where.
Image: Young Carers Festival, 2023
Youth Work
Our youth work program is one of the cornerstones of our mission, providing safe, supportive spaces for young people aged 11-19 across Somerset. With 14 youth clubs in the area, we offer a range of activities that encourage socialising, learning new skills and building meaningful relationships. These clubs are designed to be fun, inclusive, and accessible, creating environments where young people can thrive.
But our youth clubs go beyond just offering a place to hang out. For many attendees, the warm meals we provide may be the only hot meal they have that day. Understanding this, we also support them by sending home extra food for their families, ensuring that we are not only supporting the individual but also addressing wider family needs.
A significant part of our youth work focuses on young carers—those who spend much of their time looking after a family member. We run four youth clubs specifically designed for these young carers, giving them the chance to socialise with peers who understand their responsibilities. This space is a vital respite for these young people, providing time away from caregiving and the chance to just be themselves, make friends, and have fun.
Image: Library trip for the children
Childcare & Family Support
Our eight nurseries in Wiltshire are dedicated to supporting children and their families through high-quality Early Years Education. These nurseries provide a nurturing, stimulating environment where children can develop the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. We focus on every aspect of a child’s development—social, emotional, cognitive, and physical—ensuring they receive the best start in life. In our nurseries, we take the curiosity approach. All activities are child-led, so that their curiosity and imagination can lead the way in their development.
We know that early childhood is a critical period in a child’s life, and our experienced staff are trained to help children explore, play, and learn at their own pace. Our nurseries also serve as an essential support system for parents, offering flexible childcare options that allow families to balance work, education, and home life. Our nursery staff often go beyond their childcare duties and work hard to support the families who use our services.
Image: Pop-up Kickboxing class in the gym
Health & Wellbeing
Our YMCA Gym in Bath is more than just a place to work out—it’s a thriving community hub focused on improving the wellbeing of its 750+ members. What sets our gym apart is its mission-driven approach. Every membership fee supports our charitable work, allowing us to reinvest in local wellbeing and ensure we are doing the best we can to support our community.
We believe that fitness and wellbeing should be accessible to all, and we work closely with local charities and community groups to provide opportunities for those in need. Whether it’s through discounted memberships, partnerships with local health services, or offering a welcoming space for those who may feel excluded from traditional gyms, our goal is to make wellness accessible to everyone.
Our gym’s focus on community and inclusivity means that people come not only to improve their physical health but also to connect with others, building social bonds that enhance their overall wellbeing. This sense of belonging is at the heart of everything we do at the YMCA. Our members often say their favourite part of the gym is the community of people and the sense of belonging they feel.
Image: The Bristol Wing entryway
Commercial Hostels
At YMCA Brunel Group, we also operate two commercial hostels—YMCA Bath and The Bristol Wing—which serve as affordable, welcoming places for travellers to stay while visiting the historic cities of Bath and Bristol. These hostels are part of our social enterprise model, meaning that any surplus funds generated from the hostels go directly toward supporting our charitable work.
The money raised helps cover our core costs, allowing us to focus our fundraising efforts on directly supporting those in need. Whether it’s providing housing, youth services, or community health initiatives, every pound spent at our hostels contributes to a larger mission of empowering individuals and improving communities.
Why We Do What We Do
At YMCA Brunel Group, we are driven by our core belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling, independent life. Whether through housing, youth work, support & advice, fitness, or childcare, our services are all designed with the aim of making a lasting, positive impact on individuals and communities.
We understand that no two people’s journeys are the same, and that’s why we take a holistic, individualised approach to all our work. From helping a young person find their feet after leaving care, to giving a young carer a much-needed break, to providing a place of warmth and connection at our gym, everything we do is focused on building resilience, confidence, and community spirit.